23 and 24 April to be a momentous weekend for Curtin Sarawak

Miri – 31 March 2010 – The weekend of 23 and 24 April 2010 will be a momentous occasion for Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) as three significant events in the university’s annual calendar will be held over the two days.

They are the Certificate Ceremony for its Foundation programmes followed by the Award & Scholarship Ceremony on 23 April 2010, and the Graduation Ceremony for Engineering and Business degree programmes on 24 April 2010.

The Graduation Ceremony will be particularly significant to staff members of the university as two of their own – Research and Development Coordinator of the School of Business, Dr. Pauline Ho, and Financial Controller Sara Wong – will be graduating with PhD and MBA degrees respectively.

In addition, three lecturers – Foad Motalebi of the School of Foundation & Continuing Studies, and Dr. Goi Chai Lee and Ng Poh Yen of the School of Business – will graduate with Graduate Certificates in Tertiary Teaching.

The Certificate Ceremony has been re-scheduled from its original date of 24 April 2010 to accommodate the record number of graduating students totalling over 700 this year, as well as the large number of family members and invited guests that are expected to attend. The Certificate Ceremony and Graduation Ceremony were initially planned as a single event.

By separating them, the events will gain greater prominence and prestige, according to Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Dr. John Evans. He said the events will be officiated by notable dignitaries and invited guests will include members of the Curtin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. board of directors, Curtin Sarawak Campus Council and Management Board, as well as local dignitaries, government department heads, corporate representatives and community leaders.

The Certificate Ceremony will be officiated by Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications (Communications) and Assistant Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation (Sports) Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is also chairman of Curtin Sarawak’s management board.

The Graduation Ceremony, the university’s ninth since it establishment in 1999, will be officiated by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Industrial Development and Minister of Tourism and Heritage, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri George Chan Hong Nam, who is also the chairman of the Curtin Sarawak Campus Council.

Vice Chancellor of Curtin University of Technology, Professor Jeanette Hacket, will also be present at the Graduation Ceremony.

“Both graduation ceremonies promise to be very prestigious events indeed. Furthermore, we are seeing a record number of graduands and a proportionate number of family members attending this year, making them all the more meaningful,” said Professor Dr. Evans.

All enquiries regarding the events are to be directed to Curtin Sarawak’s Student Services Office at +60 85 443909 or 085-443939 ext. 4000, or by e-mail to graduation@curtin.edu.my. Information on the graduation ceremonies is also available at www.curtin.edu.my/current/graduation.htm.

Over 700 students to graduate from Curtin Sarawak’s certificate and

degree programmes on 23 and 24 April 2010.

Both graduation ceremonies promise to be very

prestigious events, says Professor Dr. Evans.